On Wednesday, the Oakley Union Elementary School District will look to move forward with two bond measures and aim to eliminate 40 positions to help balance the budget.
The District will be looking at two bond measures that aim to raise $123 million during the June 2 election which would be used for school repairs, upgrades, and student safety improvements,
These bonds include:
- Classroom Repair: $64 million (tax levied is $30 per $100k of assessed value)
- Student Safety/Security: $59 million (tax levied is $28 per $100k of assessed value)
Both staff reports include a long list of items approved, however, some of them include:
- Fix deteriorating plumbing, roofs, heating, ventilation and electrical systems
- Remove lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials from District schools
- Upgrade district schools to current earthquake and building safety codes
- Repair & upgrade aging classrooms and labs to support student achievement in math, science, technology, reading, writing, arts and music, and help meet educational standards
- Improve student safety by upgrading fire safety and school security systems, including alarms, smoke detectors, classroom locks, emergency communications and add cameras.
According to Superintendent Jeff Palmquist, he confirmed they have been operating at a deficit for some time.
“Like many districts in California, particularly in Contra Costa County, we have been operating at a deficit for some time. This is largely due to significant one-time funding received during and after COVID. While those funds were received upfront, they have been spent over multiple years. As a result, reserves have been used to sustain the programs and services that were added during that period,” explained Palmquist.
He added that last June, the Board passed a resolution to reduce expenditures by $2.7 million over multiple years, with the goal of eliminating deficit spending – noting the target amount has increased from the original resolution due to flat enrollment and rising expenses.
“It is important to note that our deficit spending is offset by our reserves, and we continue to maintain a Positive Certification from the County,” said Palmquist. “Our fiscal stabilization plan is designed to ensure we are not dependent on one-time funding for ongoing General Fund expenditures. This remains challenging, as the state continues to allocate funding primarily through one-time grants. In short, we are fiscally sound, but that stability has relied in part on reserves and one-time funds.”
He also confirmed they had been looking into a potential bond for more than a year as part of the Facilities Master Planning Process.
“In May, I delivered a State of the District presentation outlining our long-term planning and financial eligibility. I provided a similar presentation to the City Council, confirming that we were laying the groundwork for a bond measure. Throughout the summer and fall, that groundwork progressed. We conducted a survey in the fall, and we decided that June would be the preferred timing to bring a bond measure forward,” said Palmquist.
Position Cuts
The District will also look at two resolutions to cut 40 positions, even though 2/3 of them are already vacant.
Certified Employees: 10
Administrative Positions
- Assistant principal – 2
- Ed Services Coordinator – 1
- Coordinator of ELD and Interventions – 1
Teachers on Special Assignment Positions
- MTSS TOSA – 2
Counselor Positions
- RTI Counselor – 4
That due to the reduction or discontinuance of particular kinds of services set forth above, the corresponding number certificated employees of the District shall be terminated at the end of the 2025-2026 school year
Classified Services – 29.76
- Parent Community Liaisons
- Campus Supervisor
- Instructional Paraprofessional – Literacy Support
- Instructional Paraprofessional
- Student Information System Tech Specialist II
- Computer Technician
- Shipping and Receiving Clerk
- Clerk
- Secretary (Human Resources by 8/31/2027)
- Custodian I
- Delivery Clerk
- Director of Facilities and Construction
- Parent Community Liaisons
- Accounting Supervisor
- Facilities Supervisor
- Accounting Clerk
That the classified services set forth below shall be reduced or eliminated no later than the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year:
If You Go
OUESD Board Meeting
February 18, 2026
6:00 pm
Agenda – click here
Note – for District financials, click here